room gloating on what would one night happen there. I noted that he

kept his dueling pistols there, and they were loaded. I hoped to use

one of these instead of mine own, for the murder would then seem

suicide. Well, gentlemen, we will use the key now, and with God’s help

rescue your ladies and deal with the Squire.”

Silently they got into the boat, and the farmer took the oars, rowing

with caution against any noise. As they passed the Squire’s boathouse

they heard a man’s voice singing a bawdy song, and saw a light in a

window above it.

“It is the waterman,” whispered the farmer. “He drinks himself into

the early hours like his master. He will not trouble us.”

The water -gate was round a bend of the river, some fifty yards from

the boat -house, and the only spot where the house itself touched the

river. With a final pull the farmer shipped his oars carefully and

crawled into the bow, where he crouched with a s hort boat-hook. Without

a word he pointed above his head, and the young men knew that the large

mullioned window lighted up was the oak room for which they were bound.

The farmer eased the boat gently to the wall and made fast to a mooringring. He then crawled on to the gateway step and mentioned the others to

follow. There was no noise save the gentle lapping of the river beneath

the boat.

The water -gate was fitted with a heavy oak door, iron -studded. The

farmer produced his key from his shirt, and by the time the door had

swung silently into the darkness the young men were standing close

behind him. Cautiously they all entered, and the farmer shut the door

behind him. Step by step they mounted, the farmer first, since he knew

where to find the se cret spring. Doctor Syn next, and Cobtree last.

After completing the first turn of the turret, the farmer put out his

hand behind him to call a half while he listened. It was then that Syn

turned to his friend and whispered:

“I would have been happy to see you clear of this adventure, Tony.

For your parents’ sake, and for your lady. But oh, man, I am yet glad

to have you with me. But it is first of all my quarrel!”

The farmer turned and warned them not to whisper. Then once more

they mounted up. Syn calculated that they had completed three full turns

of the turret, and by the sound of a man’s voice knew they were reaching

the top, when the farmer turned and whispered the order, “Back.” they

retreated three

- 36 -

steps, and only just in time, for suddenly the turret steps were flooded

with light, and the hitherto murmuring voice of the man arose loud and

clear, showing that the panel was open wide. The farmer levelled his

pistol, and the young men’s hands went to their sword-hilts.

“It leads to the river,” said the voice of the Squire. “I show it to

you just to prove how completely you are in my power. In a few minutes

it will be time for you to hear your mother scream again. My rascals

are punctual. They delight in their work. If, as you tried to threaten

when you heard the last scream, your mother were to die of shock, her

body would be carried down these steps and with a bag of stones around

her neck she would sink to the bottom of the river. You know that you

can stop your mother’s terror at will. You have only to consent o me,

and all will be happy for her. And for you, too, if you only knew it. I

am something of a god lover, my dear. After the next scream or groan,

whichever it may be, you will hear them more rapidly, for my

instructions are to increase the dose as the night wears on. Why not

let the old girl alone, my dear? She could lie upon the bed and cry

herself to sleep if you will only be kind to me. Why not give in?

Eventually you must, and you will save her so mu ch pain. Listen. There.

A moan. Do you hear? Ah yes, and now?”

A piercing scream arose from a distant part of the house. Doctor Syn

tried to push past the farmer, but he held him firmly back.

The Squire’s voice went on: “It is no use you running to that door,

my dear. I have the key in my pocket. What horrid scream that was!

She must be suffering. How can you suffer it? Now obey me, child. Undo

your little bodice. I have a wish to kiss you on the shoulders.”

Once more Doctor Syn tried to push by the farmer. But the latter was

a strong man, and, being above the parson on the steps, had the

advantage. Thrusting his pistol into his side pocket, he used one hand

in keeping the Doctor back and the other was pressed hard over his mouth

to prevent him from making a noise.

It was then that they heard Imogene’s voice for the first time.

“God will have no mercy on you when my Christopher, Doctor Syn,

arrives. He will kill you, and God will bless him for the deed.”

“I have tried to be merciful to you,” replied the Squire. “I have

been patient too long. Why should I wait when my lips are burning for

you? I am going to take you in my arms.”

At this moment, and just as Doctor Syn was about to hurl himself at

the farmer, whose strong arms had pressed him back, there came a sharp

knocking on the locked door at the far end of the room.

“That will be news of your mother, no doubt,” said the Squire. “We

will open and see. But in case you are tempted to run down these dusty

steps, we will c lose the panel. Not that you could get far, because

below there is a locked door that leads to the river.”

The Squire closed the panel as he spoke, and as his heavy strides

crossed the room the three avengers climbed the remaining steps. The

farmer had his hand upon the secret spring, and Doctor Syn whispered him

to open it.

“Wait till whoever has come has gone,” cautioned the farmer.

When the Squire unlocked the door, Imogene gave a gasp of horror, for

there stood before her an enormous man stripped to the waist and holding

a huge pair of blacksmith’s pincers.

“Well, fool, what is it?” asked the Squire.

“That last nip I gave her put her out,” growled the brute. “What

shall I do? Wait for her to wake up, or go on as your ordered?”

- 37 -

“Throw a jug, full of water over her, throw her on the bed, and lock

her in for the night,” ordered the Squire. “Leave the key in her lock,

in case I wish to view her. And give the strictest orders to the

servants that I am not to be disturbed until the morning. Under no

circumstances are any of you to set foot in this wing of the house. You

will mount guard in the main hall, with the stable-lads. If this Doctor

Syn should come clamoring at the doors, see first who comes with him.

If he is alone, or merely with his lawyer friend, admit him, and deal

with him. You will be more than enough to settle with them. Have cords

to last them up, and put them down in the old dungeon vaults till

morning. It may be I shall kill him in the morning—both of them if

they come. That depends upon this little beauty here. If the loving is

to be all on my side tonight, the parson has preached his last sermon.

Now go, and don’t disturb me till the morning, no matter what shrieks

and screams you hear from this part of the house. Understand?”

“I understand, your honour, and wish you a very good night. I think

your honour will have it, too.” And with a grin of appreciation at the

terrified girl, he went out, closing the door behind him.

The Squire poured himself out another glass of wine.

“Just one more to wish your mother a happier state, which is in your

hands and then—” He drank, set down the glass and eyed her. “And now,